Delicious but deadly mochi: The Japanese rice cakes that kill

Two people have died in Japan and several are in a critical condition after choking on traditional rice cakes as part of the new year celebrations.

They may seem harmless, but each year the hard-to-eat snack claims several lives, prompting annual warnings from officials.

What is a mochi?

The cakes, known as mochi, are cute round buns made of soft and chewy rice.

The rice is first steamed and then pounded and mashed.